For sale : World's smallest country (Principality of Sealand)

Antara News (Indonesia) ^ | January 8, 2007

[HAL9000]

London (ANTARA News) - A former World War II fort in the North Sea, which was settled 40 years ago and declared a state with its own self-proclaimed royal family, is up for sale, The Times said Monday.

The tiny Principality of Sealand, which began life as Roughs Tower in 1941, is a 550 square metre (658 square yard) steel platform perched on two concrete towers 11 kilometres (seven miles) off the coast of Harwich, eastern England.

It is accessible only by helicopter and boat but according to its owners, who want offers of eight digits or over, boasts uninterrupted sea views, guarantees complete privacy and is a tax haven.

"We have owned the island for 40 years now and my father is 85," Prince Michael of Sealand was quoted by AFP as saying. "Perhaps it is time for some rejuvenation.

"Astronomical figures have been mentioned but we will just see what comes forward."

Although its nation status is disputed, Sealand boasts a military past like any other country, defending its sovereignty from outside threats.

Former British army major Paddy Roy Bates began occupying the island with his family in 1967, declared it a state in international waters and gave himself the title "prince".

Britain's Royal Navy attempted to evict him the following year but were unsuccessful. As they entered territorial waters, Roy of Sealand fired warning shots from the former fort.

A judge then ruled in his favour that Sealand was outside British government control as it was beyond the three-mile limit of the country's waters.

In 1974, Roy of Sealand introduced a constitution. A flag, national anthem, currency -- the gold and silver Sealand dollar which is the equivalent to the US dollar -- and passports have followed suit.

Four years later, Dutch and German businessmen on Sealand to discuss a business deal kidnapped Roy's son but were overpowered and held as prisoners of war before eventually being released.

[Swordmaker]

Hey Hal, let's get together another Freepathon after this one is done and raise enough money to buy our own country! We could call it the Island of FreeRepublic. It would be cool to have a seat in the UN. We could declare war on the US and lose and get tons of foreign aid!

We just have to find the right currency to make our offer... something that has a very large inflation factor.

What else could we do... besides elect Jim Robinson President?

[Jeff Chandler]

Trivial Pursuit says that the world's smallest county is the Vatican.

[miliantnutcase]

At first I thought that was awesome. Then I saw the pics and it looks more like a poor man's villian "lair".

[Jeff Chandler]

This place makes the Faroe Islands look like Acapulco.

[TeddyCon]

I thought the smallest was the People's Republic Of San Francisco.

[kb2614]

Reminds me of "Waterworld". Maybe Kevin Costner will buy it.

[HAL9000]

Apparently Sealand is a monarchy, so it would be King Jim.

One great thing about Sealand is the high-speed Internet connectivity, so the Free Republic servers could operate freely there. No more excerpting, we could post with impunity. In fact, the Principality of Sealand itself could be renamed Free Republic.

For my part, I'd like to be the Ambassador to the U.S. My house will become the embassy, I'd drive around with the national flags on my car, and with my diplomatic immunity, I'd never have to pay another parking ticket.

Here is the reigning royal family -

Prince Roy and Princess Joan shortly after taking possession of Sealand in the late-1960s

And how cool is this? Prince Roy minted coinage and printed postage stamps with his wife's portrait -

[Manic_Episode]

Wouldn't it be less expensive to just build another "country" right next to Sealand?

Then they could declare war and lob "shells" back and forth.

[MinorityRepublican]

This is actually a country?

[timer]

Since the open ocean beyond 200 miles is non-sovereign territory, if I built an island out of buoyant bubble glass, and defended it against all comers, would you want to move there? Let's say its anchored somewhere east of maui...

[Jeff Chandler]

the People's Republic Of San Francisco.

That would be the Nation of Boypokia.

[Nailbiter]

ping,,,, Could you spare few dollars?

[Swordmaker]

Apparently Sealand is a monarchy, so it would be King Jim.

We buy it... have a quick, quiet, painless revolution, write a constitution and become a republic and make it FREE! Whee.

[TeddyCon]

ROFL!

[Erasmus]

I'll see ya and raise ya.

$100.000000 .

[Erasmus]

The usual. Golf, Skiiing, Hiking, Foosball.

Well, mainly Foosball.

[Erasmus]

You mention the really cool move.

Bribe some country to recognize you formally. Buy a substantial chunk of land in that country, declare it your embassy, and operate out of it on dry land as your sovereign territory.

Maybe you could do a deal with the King of Tonga, for instance.

Anyway, let private enterprises set up at will on your various embassy grounds, charging them handsome rents. Let this fund your purchase of additional property, particularly in additional countries, thus eventually making your operations worldwide.

Just think of the fun you could have with a seat on the UN.

< }B^)

[Lokibob]

bttt

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I think it was used as a kind of pirate TV and radio transmitter to get around the BBC before satellite or cable TV.

[traditional1]

Why does the old standard, "The Mouse that Roared" come to mind.

That's where a tiny country declares "War" on the U.S., and then reaps millions in foreign aid to rebuild, I think. Used to be a regular in the class plys in High Schools across the country, along with "Arsenic and Old Lace".